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4/5 Stars!
Hate crimes or serial killer? Is there a difference?
I went back and forth in the beginning as much as Matthew Merry and Julie Lukula.
But then the cracks start forming.
A body washes up on-shore, acid attacks, shot gun blasts… that’s a lot of hate.
We are the sum of our experiences—or lack of, and when betrayal and ridicule come into play, the curtain is lifted on the ugly grittiness of a world most see simply as entertainment, and it’s those experiences that will turn someone into a killer.
Geraldine is a solid read with good characters and a strong plot, but I enjoyed getting to know the team as the story played out. These are not perfect Bond-type investigators. Life is chaotic and intrusive but you still have to do your job.
As if gender identity and sexual orientation weren’t enough, another timely and relevant issue runs as a sub-plot in Geraldine and is handled well and realistically. No tidy endings in a pretty bow. Life is messy. Kudos to the author.
Crime fiction readers will enjoy this quick read and I recommend it.
Enjoy!
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Hatred is such a nasty thing – we all deplore it in others but do not necessarily recognise it in ourselves. At what point does resentment, jealousy, betrayal or humiliation turn into anger and then grow to an all-consuming hatred? Hatred can be slow, taking years to fester, or can explode in seconds – it can linger for a lifetime or wither in seconds of its conception.
Inspector Matthew Merry and Sergeant Julie Lukula have to deal with the consequences of violence and murder on a daily basis and in the case of Gerry Driver they both see that hatred is the prime motive. But is it, as Julie thinks, one of a series of hate crimes that has led to this killing? Or, is Matthew right in saying, ‘Driver’s death is undoubtedly a hate filled crime, but I’m just not convinced that there are sufficient links to suggest it is part of a pattern of hate crimes.’
Only time and their investigation, which takes as many twists and turns as the Thames does along it course through London and past Wapping Old Stairs, will tell.
Purchase Links
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Giveaway
Win one of 3 Paperback copies of Geraldine by John Mead (UK Only)
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